LANSING, MI -- United Auto Workers President Bob King said Wednesday that he expects the union to endorse Democratic candidate Mark Schauer for governor despite reports he recently attempted to recruit an alternative candidate.

"I think Mark will make a great governor," King told reporters at the Automotive News World Congress in Detroit. "He's got really deep values. I think he demonstrated that time and time again in public office. That's where our focus is. That's who we're going to give our support to."

Whitmer, who backed Schauer last year after declining to enter the race herself, stuck by that decision and has no plans to enter the Democratic primary. Schauer is the only declared candidate and is hoping to challenge Republican Gov. Rick Snyder in the general election.

UAW Vice President Cindy Estrada also gave Schauer a vote of confidence Wednesday during a meeting of the Michigan Civil Service Commission in Lansing, telling reporters he would be "a fabulous governor."

King's overture to Whitmer was seen by many as a troubling sign for Schauer and an indication of possible discord amongst traditional Democratic backers.The news also provided critics with a new source of ammunition.

"This makes Mark Schauer's weak campaign even weaker," said Jon Thompson of the Republican Governor's Association, which invested heavily to help Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder win election in 2010. "Democrats were stuck with him after being told no by numerous others, and now even Democrat stalwarts like the UAW are admitting they are not impressed with him."

Bill Ballenger, a former Republican state representative and co-founder of the Inside Michigan Politics newsletter, downplayed the significance of King's conversation with Whitmer, suggesting it would not have a great impact on Schauer's ability to raise money or inspire outside groups to do so.

"I don't think it's that important at this point," Ballenger said Wednesday. "I don't think that's going to be the basis on which Schauer gets money."

In addition to King and Estrada at the UAW, other unions also rallied behind Schauer on Wednesday with public displays of support.

"Nurses and working families are fired up about Mark Schauer's ability to turn our state around," John Armelagos, president of the Michigan Nurses Association, said in a release affirming the union's previous endorsement.

"Anyone in the labor community who spreads doubts about Mark's ability to win clearly doesn't know Mark."

MLive automotive reporter Mike Wayland contributed to this story from Detroit. Jonathan Oosting is a Capitol reporter for MLive Media Group. Email him, find him on Google+ or follow him on Twitter.